Aging Gracefully ...

I remember being a young child and wanting so desperately to hurry up and grow-up.  It didn't help that I have an older sister by eight years, and she was going to high school dances, wearing pretty dresses, going out on dates with boyfriends, etc.  I remember that I always wanted to grow-up to be just like her because she's beautiful!

Then I grew-up and can't figure out today why I wanted to rush being all grown-up.

I had relatives tell me that I needed to moisturize way back in my 20s or I'll end up with wrinkles too early.  I needed to start before the "worry lines" on my forehead got too deep and large.  The crows-feet were inevitable given I wear contacts in my eyes.

With all that said, I still managed to get carded in bars or when purchasing alcohol well into my 30s.  It helps too that I'm a petite thing.  The best was when I got to ride a ferry from southern England to the Isle of White at the "child" (14 and under) rate rather than the adult rate since I was 23 years old at the time.

I have aged since having children.  Sort of comes with the territory as I'm now responsible for two other beings besides myself.  I can't say that I've aged horribly, I do have fine lines, smile lines, laugh lines, crows-feets and the ever so visible "worry lines".  My eye-lids have a few more creases to my dismay, but what can I do shy of plastic surgery?  So I chose to accept the aging process and go on with life.  I wasn't "perfection" when I was young, why should I think that I'd be "perfect" when I was older.  I am okay with me, actually pleased with me both inside and out.

Like so many other millions of viewers, I watched the halftime show during the Super Bowl.  Madonna was the "entertainer" of choice.  As I was watching her, I was awed by how good she looked. She's roughly 8 years older than me but she didn't look it.  She looked like she could be in her early to mid 40s and not 52 or 53.  I was amazed at how much energy she had to dance in stilettos up and down stairs and bleachers.  I was amazed that she sang and danced and wasn't one bit out of breath.  I thought that was truly an accomplishment given she was in her 50s.

I made a comment on F/B indicating how I wished that when I was 50 I'd look as good as Madonna does now.  To which a handful of people pointed out the obvious that she has a personal trainer, nutritionist that plans her meals and has had "plastic" work done on her body.  Basically saying you would too if you had all these handed to you (or at least at your disposal).  The tone of the comments were more of "distain", as if I didn't have the right to compliment Madonna.

These "disdainful" comments sort of took me by surprised.  I wasn't sure why anyone would care that she has the ability to work out 8 hours a day with a personal trainer, eat well, and maybe have a little "plastic surgery" - other than people were jealous of her.  Am I jealous that my body will never be "rock hard" and that the lines on my face are permanent and that I'll never be able to shed the belly flab that my dear son so sweetly gave me because he sat so low in my abdomen while I was pregnant with him?  Jealousy isn't really the word I'd choose, its more like, I have chosen a different path in my life than Madonna has chosen for herself.  I received post grad education, worked for a couple of organizations, opted to stay home and raise my kids and enjoy each moment I can with them.  Madonna chose to be an entertainer.  She chose to be in the spotlight and less face it, the world can be a cruel place when it comes to judging the "outward appearance" of others, especially "famous people".  In order to keep herself "fresh" and "marketable" - she needs to keep up her appearance.  She needs to exercise every day with a personal trainer, she needs to eat healthy to maintain a healthy weight and so what if she chose to lift a few sags in the meantime.  To me it is no different then say ...  a doctor, attorney, CPA  or other professional that needs to periodically take courses to enhance their knowledge, expertise and sometimes image in their chosen field.  Madonna needs to do these things to keep herself current.

All I have to say is kudos to her!

By the way ... I'm not a huge fan of Madonna, but I will say she does have a very good voice and I still hold to my comment, I hope I can look as good as she does at the age of 50.